Program Analyst

Summary

This position serves as a Program Analyst in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Financial Management (OFM), Finance Services Staff, Improper Payments and Internal Control (IPIC) team.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/25/2024 to 04/30/2024

• Salary

$88,520 - $115,079 per year

Salary shown is the basic pay WITHOUT locality pay. Once selections are made the locality pay WILL BE added to the salary based on the duty location.

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:

• Phoenix, AZ

• Los Angeles, CA

• Oakland, CA

• San Diego, CA

• Show more locations (22)

• Denver, CO

• Hartford, CT

• Washington, DC

• Des Moines, IA

• Boise, ID

• Chicago, IL

• Saint Paul, MN

• Lincoln, NE

• Albuquerque, NM

• Reno, NV

• Buffalo, NY

• Cleveland, OH

• Portland, OR

• Philadelphia, PA

• Pittsburgh, PA

• Providence County, RI

• Nashville, TN

• Waco, TX

• Salt Lake City, UT

• Roanoke, VA

• Milwaukee, WI

• Huntington, WV

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0343 Management And Program Analysis

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

101-OFM-12398572-24-BTF

• Control number

788516000

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open ONLY to current/former VA employees who are CTAP eligible. For the purpose of this job announcement, Fiduciary Hub bargaining unit employees in the commuting area are considered facility employees.

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Duties

Specific duties include:

• Develops recommendations for program officials and supervisors and provides viable recommendations for acceptance by operating officials/components. Recommendations include development of new and/or modified work methodologies, procedural changes, system variations, and acceptance of new technology developments, if feasible. Develops and submits recommendations for improvements in administrative operations and promotes efficiency and potential cost savings methods.

• Evaluates financial management programs fairly and consistently. Maintains accurate records of evaluation criteria and provides accurate and timely feedback to the appropriate field office, business line, staff office, and the appropriate VBA executive leadership team on identified findings and recommended corrective actions.

• Plans, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of financial management operations and the Internal Controls program(s) developed to support, enhance, and/or improve field organizations and VBA Central Office financial operations.Develops and conducts internal control reviews on a national level that support financial management policies and procedures. Contributes to the selection and development of audit plans and sample sizes in accordance with GAGAS standards. Plans and organizes program reviews in specific ways that maximize the amount and quality of information gathered and employs the applicable and appropriate evaluation method(s) and strategy(ies) to ensure effective internal controls are enough and in place.

• Performs and conducts methodical, national, in-person and virtual audits and site visits which include but not limited to review, examination, and verification of individual employee transaction records and performance data to determine if VBA Regional Offices and Staff Offices and VBA Business Lines are in accordance with VA, VBA, and federal guidelines and requirements.

• Research field station specific issues/concerns and prepares all necessary administrative materials, correspondence, and justification(s) detailing reasons for decision(s). Assists in developing and updating procedural guidance for distribution to Field and District Offices. Drafts instructional training letters/memos, writes briefing papers, and provides responses to Congressional and external stakeholder inquires as required.

• Studies program operations, new legislation, automated systems, management initiatives, and the operation of interacting programs and organizations to develop new and modified criteria for assessing the effectiveness of existing internal controls or recommending new internal controls to address identified issues. Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative and/or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of financial management controls, programs, or operations in meeting the established goals and objectives.

• Monitors operating programs and activities and works in close cooperation with other elements of VBA as they relate to financial management and sound fiscal stewardship. The incumbent represents OFM management officials at meetings and conferences within VA, at other Government agencies, with VA contractors and with representatives of service, civic and fraternal organizations.

• Deals with issues of both sensitive and/or of a high-profile nature while advising leadership on the national and/or local impact of changes in processes, protocol, or legal statutes, which may affect or shape the future direction of how the Internal Controls Program is conducted and monitored within the organization.

• Develops effective presentations covering the Internal Control Program's material and provides practical applications and examples to facilitate internal control adoption across the enterprise. Leads all in-house efforts and participates actively as a team member or sub-group leader on project teams involving participants from outside of VBA.

• Serves as an advisor and consultant to the Chief, Internal Controls Division on all issues (local as well as national) regarding the technical, regulatory, procedural, and operational aspects of the OFM Internal Control training program. Acts for the Chief, Internal Controls Division when called upon to do so.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is a virtual position. Incumbent is expected to report to the nearest VBA facility at least twice per pay period.

Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst; 39219-A

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

• You may be required to serve a probationary period

• Subject to background/security investigation

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:04/30/2024.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 that indicates proof of status, and shows Time in Grade (for example, you were a career or career-conditional employee) and identifies your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must also submit your most recent promotion or within-grade increase in addition to your recent SF-50. If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any SF-50 showing that grade. DO NOT submit Award SF-50's and/or General Adjustment SF-50's as they cannot be used to prove time-in-grade.

• For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

GS-13 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience: The applicant is required to interpret VA policy, procedures, guidance, regulatory statements, and legislation affecting the work of the programs and Presidential executive directives to ensure efficacy in the execution and implementation of VBA's financial management systems. Guides regularly referenced include but are not limited to: (a) OMB circulars, regulations, directives, and bulletins, (b) Department and VBA accounting and fiscal policies, directives, and procedures, (c) Congressional Acts, appropriation acts and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation legislation impacting Veterans' benefits, and (d) regulations published by the Treasury Department, Comptroller General decisions and other accounting precedents that may affect VBA's programs. Mastery of data analytics with expert use of excel and experience in various data software. Experience formulating data driven reports and presentation of data and reports to various levels of stakeholders. The applicant is expected to use professional knowledge and creativity to solve various technical and process problems. A high degree of initiative, judgment and originality is exercised in the selection, research, interpretation and application of broad guidelines and principles in the accounting and reporting for all VBA programs. Knowledge of various software and systems (e.g., business object, tableau, Microsoft office, etc.) to create reports, spreadsheets, and project plans; knowledge of scaled agile framework, management principles, and processes to perform project management duties and coordinate and integrate project objectives. Experience with oral and written communication skills sufficient to present findings and recommendations and deliver briefings on a multitude of subjects with a wide range of co-workers, executives, and leaders within and outside of the organization.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although some light physical effort may be required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants who do not fully address the specialized experience needed for the position (as described above in the job announcement) in their resume will not be referred for consideration.

After you have met the minimum qualifications, you will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:

• Analyze- Ability to review and evaluate, comprehend and apply decisions derived from a variety of data or complex information.

• Reasoning- Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

• Project Management- Ability to develop and collect critical data for high-level projects and validating the accuracy and validity of presentation material content; manages all projects related to publications within the organization.

• Written Communication- Write material to include policies and portrayal of statistical data in a clear, concise, organized and convincing manner to internal and external contacts.

• Laws and Policies-Ability to interpret and explain laws, regulations, policies and procedures applicable financial management as it relates to data/information to support the operation, program management, and how it impacts strategic initiatives.

• Technical Competence- Knowledge of how to perform one's job. Refers to specialized knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.